Cook Out joins chains in Pooler

Cook Out on Pooler Parkway adds to steady growth in the area with its opening last week.

The expansion of retail and restaurants continues to accelerate along Pooler Parkway, with the opening of coastal Georgia’s first Cook Out.

“It’s been an overwhelming response,” said Cook Out opening director Allen Brooks.

The Pooler store opened only a week ago, but Brooks says residents and tourists alike are responding warmly.

“This opening has been fantastic,” said Brooks. “The people here are super nice, the area is beautiful. Plus, we got some really good kids working here.”

According to its website, the Greensboro, N.C.-based restaurant has 140 locations scattered among six states. The Pooler store is one of only eight in Georgia. Brooks has been with Cook Out for 13 years and has opened about 125 of the company’s 140 restaurants.

Cook Out’s menu features an array of options, including $2.50 hamburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, as well as 40 milkshake flavors and the Cook Out $4.99 combo, which includes a sandwich, two sides and a drink, according to Brooks.

“People are telling us our burgers are delicious, our prices are low and our milkshakes are great,” said Brooks. “That is how I tell how well we are doing.”

Augusta native Whitney Degnan calls the Pooler Cook Out “great,” and similar to the restaurant’s Augusta locations.

“The food is great, really good,” said Degnan. “It’s also great that they’re a very family-friendly restaurant.”

Cook Out has locations scattered around the state, with many more in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, but has just recently extended into the Savannah area, with plans to open another restaurant at an undisclosed location.

For now, Brooks looks forward to the continued growth of the Pooler location while anticipating the opening of the Savannah store.

“Right now, we’re hiring for both the Pooler and the Savannah locations,” said Brooks. “This is the first one in the general area, but in about two weeks, we will be in Savannah … we’re open late night ‘till 3 a.m., and our combos start at $4.99.”